Does anyone know if a solution to the no sound issue was ever found? I tried everything with no luck. The game is working but I know I'm missing things because of the lack of sound.
BK

calmier....to change your screen settings back do this:
Right click on a blank spot on your desktop, click on "Personalize", click "Display Settings", in the next window there should be a monitor tab, near the bottom is "Resolution" with a slider, just move it to the setting you want.
(Note: You can also get to the Personalize option by going to the Control Panel).
Hope this helps.
BK

Here is a demo copy of the game you could download and see if that one would run...

http://www.harmonicflow.com/game/hope-springs-eternal/

You can also get a demo copy from PlayFirst:

http://www.playfirst.com/game/hope-springs-eternal

I hate when I see games from Merscom...I know there is work involved, they sure don't like to make it easy...the one from them and BF on Saturday "Arabica" was a little easier, but people were still having problems...

Here are some links that Whabbit posted in the comments section:

Download link for General Tips readme file

http://files.filefront.com/Hope+Springs+Eternal+Gestxt/;13012261;/fileinfo.html

I’ve uploaded a working copy of gif89.dll for you:

http://files.filefront.com/gif89zip/;13012744;/fileinfo.html

I’m not running Vista at the moment so don’t know exactly where it goes; probably in your system folder. :idea: I suggest you do a search to see where it’s kept. Before you make any changes to your system, please create a system restore. The following address will take you to a download page for a gif89.dll repair tool, that’s only a demo, but I think it will be adequate for what you need. I also strongly suggest you read the EULA before you use the repair tool. It may be an idea to use this program first before you use the file that I’ve uploaded. (Back up your original as well). :lol:

http://www.errornumbers.com/gif89.dll/

Regards

Whiterabbit

There appears to be a copy of gif89.dll in the installed games folder. whether it is that where the problem lies. Also when I installed the demo, it I think it said the game had to be played with a resolution of 1024×768, though my resolution is set to 1280×1024 and I had no problems
Comment by Whiterabbit aka Stephen — January 18th, 2009 at 7:05 am

Taken from Whabbits post's in the comments section...

Suki

I'm having the same gif89.dll problem with Hope Springs eternal. doesn't work

also when it tried to open it made changes to my screen settings, everything is very large now, and I can't change it back.

I tried a few time to change my settings but there are now no options available to me. grrrr

this laptop OS Vista home premium with sp

Need help please

Hey Judy and Suki, I didn't get it. I tried three more times to install and re- downloaded from both sites. I get the file, but it just wouldn't open. I'm going to see if I can get the demo.

Judy, the link for the games (if you mean the box with the game picture on the regular giveaway page)is only there Saturday and Sunday. There is a link at the very top of every page that says Game Giveaway of the Day. I get email everyday with links to each offer check here to subscribe. http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=707189
I don't know if they can be installed on your PDA/IpAQ but I would assume so. I have loaded them on thumb drives so I can have them when I travel.

Enjoy, I've got to check out today's giveaway.

I tried to install the game of the day about 11:30PM PST. It didn't work kept saying file was of an unknown nature and I should install the archive first. So I guess it doesn't wotk. Can someome tell me where I can download the correct file that is complete. By the way it took over two hours to download and the file wasn't that big. What about the alternate Transcend or something like that. Could someone please give me or post the web link for that game. I really wanted the game that was offered but when you can't get it to work, you can't get it to work, By the way I noticed that the link for the game of the day often doesn't appear any where on the page where the regular giveaway is posted. Is there a special web address that works for the games and why don't they post the link.Appreciate any nformation you could provide! One last ? can these games be installed on my PDA IpAQ runs windows but not Dos. Haven't had it very long but I'm sure Dos is out. Anyway if these Window games can be installed please let me know, if not and you have a web site where I can find freeware, shareware full games I'd appreciate it.

Have a Great Night And I hope Things Worked Out Well For you!
judyduck

Suki,
I just tried to load it on my laptop, no go, it just will not install. I've got a gig on the desktop 26 gigs on my external drive and 24 gigs on the laptop. I'm going to delete and try again, I want this game so badly I can taste it!

samm

It downloaded fine for me running XP SP2 Media aka Pro...

What took longer was activation and installation...then when I went to send the shortcut to my desktop...it looks like a deleted program...I even tried to use the icon that was in the folder, but it didn't work...I sent the game to another drive, not my default C:!

Good luck hope it works for you!

Suki
Games Junkie

Well, I did the d/l and tried three times to get it to install and it just won't. So I'm going to d/l one last time, I love the Carol Reed games and I really wanted this one.

Stephen and all..
I think I will download the Hope springs eternal again (I bought it through Iwin about 6 months ago). It would be nice to have it free standing...
It is a BRILLIANT game and quite challenging.
Also, is this sychronistic or WHAT!
I recently(just a couple of days ago) unearthed my old Syberia game(!)
Syberia is not a new game! It came out in 2002..
The fact that they released it recently AGAIN on Big fish was surprising!
I am happily enjoying it again(I have to limit my time on it each day though as it is SO engrossing that I would do NOTHING else..lol)
I have always loved point and click games..
:)

lol, you're right Suki.

For those concerned about the iWin or Big Fish exe wrappers, you can rest assured this file come clean. Anton comment #29 pointed it out.

Quote

"This download has been supplied as a proper full release and isn’t “exe wrapped” with a iWin or BigFish type setup which is a credit to the developers. Many thanks!"

I'd not bothered to check whether the copy I'd downloaded worked until someone mentioned about the gif89.dll problem, so I thought I'd better check it. I was (in between posting more info on the comments section, helping Emily with her homework and playing Syberia, which I decided to buy due to the same reason you mentioned Suki about not being able to have a download for the larger files. Though I'm pleasantly surprised at how nice the game is. Email me Suki.

Though when I'd downloaded it, it was a demo and not the full version. you may find that you can download it and play it as a demo. Becuse I had to click on that already bought link to activate it. I didn't check whether it would work as a demo though. Still. Before it's activated no credit is taken.

What you say about them returning you money if you're not satisfied is probably true. I've had two credits returned to me over the last few months. One when I downloaded that free Hidden Expedition Titanic. which I'd already purchased from Reflexive, but though as it was free I might as well add it to the BFG manager as well. Trouble was I wasn't used to the manager and ended up using a game credit; and recently when I bought Star Drone. After I'd bought it I realized I already had the free copy from Gametop (they hadn't even changed the name of the game, which is unusual for a game still being sold commercially). I wrote to BFG on both counts explaining each circumstance and was given my credits back. I told them that Star Drone was being given away for free.

Whabbit

You do indeed need some sleep....The Color Purple, was I believe a movie with Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey....

I know it's "The Color of Murder"...

Just giving you some blank!

Suki
Games Junkie

The only thing I hate about Big Fish with these large file games, is that you have to buy before you try.....

I am sure if I was dissatisfied with the game they would give me a credit!

I have a few from them that I bought sight unseen...some were okay and some were not!

Suki
Games Junkie

According to Diane comment #2 over in the comments section:

http://game.giveawayoftheday.com/hope-springs-eternal/#comment-95438

the latest Carol Reed Mystery The Color of Murder is available over at Big Fish Games:

The Color of Murder:

http://www.bigfishgames.com/download-games/4365/the-color-of-murder/index.html

===================================================================

There's also two more new mysteries along the lines of the Carol Reed Mysteries that look very promising called:

Syberia:

http://www.bigfishgames.com/download-games/4665/syberia/index.html

Syberia 2:

http://www.bigfishgames.com/download-games/4701/syberia-ii/index.html

Though both games are over 1Gb, the second one nearly 1.5Gb - I've just gone ahead and bought the first Syberia one as the video impressed me (follow the links above to see). If you are a member of their game club then you can get these games for less than $7 Wow! despite the games manager I'm quite please I joined now. lol . It definitely looks like the point and click adventure is making a big comeback after a couple of years of Match Three's, Hidden Objects and Time Management games. :) Yeeeaaahh!

regards

Whiterabbit

I tried "The Color of Murder" from Shockwave and didn't like it!

I thought it was poorly done!

I will try this one...I can always uninstall.....

Suki
Games Junkie

I spent sometime looking for a suitable download, but the ones I found initially led to iWin games, which I wasn’t happy downloading because I’ve previously had a lot of problems with games downloaded from iWin. I almost did download from one site only to find the download link was redirected to iWin and immediately my Avira Antivirus Premium picked up a Add spy virus called ADSPY/IEHelp.P – confirming my reticence to download this file from such a source; so I decided to just put together a group of images (all borrowed) and links to a couple of decent reviews done by others; I did eventually find a download link to a safe demo; but, apart from the initial research I’d left the writing up to the last minute. It’s already well into Sunday morning and I should be in bed, so there isn’t a full review from me today (despite there looking like there is below, lol).

==================================================================

Hope Springs Eternal: (399Mb)

We got the fourth in the Carol Reed stories early last year – East Side Story, now we have the second. The first is called Remedy, the third Time Stands Still, and the latest The Colour of Murder. The download is a massive 399Mb (well not for the usual DVD based games that can be over 4Gb in size); so this will not be downloadable by those on dial up. If I have time I’ll post an alternative freeware game over in the forums for those on dial up later today. For those who aren’t sure about the game and especially those that may be on capped bandwidth limits you can download a 26Mb demo of the game from the developer’s site via the following link:

http://www.mdna-games.com/Hope/demo.htm

If you decide you like the game, then you can download the 399Mb full version. :lol:

Story:

This time around Carol finds herself in the midst of the Swedish Summer, without anything particular to do. However, this is about to change dramatically when she is called upon to investigate the sudden disappearance of a friend of a friend. The search sends Carol on a colourful adventure of love, lies and murder; and possible madness.

In her research, Carol is sent back hundreds of years into local history, but is also introduced to several odd characters of the present day. She also meets some old friends from her first adventure in Sweden.

Reference: http://www.mdna-games.com/Hope/story.htm accessed 15th January 2009

Game Information

Hope Springs Eternal: A Carol Reed Mystery follows the success of the first in the series called Remedy. It’s a first person point and click adventure game that has both dialogue and subtitles included. The game is made up of a series of gorgeous photographs, most of which have been made to look like paintings. You can see about 20 examples via the link I’ve provided to the images. The game is fully mouse controlled. To search a particular area of the map (indicated by a magnifying glass) you can click on it and a close up of the area will be shown. You’re aim is to find clues to help you solve the mystery. If you get stuck on any of the puzzles you can bypass the puzzle by clicking on a hidden icon, which will then take you to the next stage. (I’ve not mentioned where you can find it because some don’t like to know these facts) The mouse cursor will change depending upon what action is required; an open hand, for example, means that you can pick something up, or touch it, while a magnifying glass (as already mentioned) means that you can examine something more closely. A gearwheel icon means that you can use an inventory object on it. To look to the left or right you take your mouse to the edge of the image corresponding with which direction you wish to look to; the cursor will change to an arrow; click at this point to move to the view that you are wanting to look to. To actually move through the game you follow the forward pointing arrows that you’ll find when you can move forwards. To open the inventory, which stores items you may have picked up, you take your mouse pointer to the top of the screen where an inventory of your items will appear.

The author states that the game contains no violence or foul language. None of the puzzles are timed and it’s suitable for ages 11 and above. For more details of how the game works you can find a read me document in the games installed folder; it’s well worth reading before you start the game. There’s a troubleshooting section at the end of the read me that may be of use if you encounter any problems, such as hotspots being slightly out of place, or the game crashes repeatedly. You’ll be given an opportunity to read the document at the end of the installation process.

System Requirement:

• OS: Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista
• CPU : Pentium 800 MHz or equivalent
• RAM : 256MB RAM
• Video card: 8MB

==================================================================

Reviews worth reading:

http://www.fourfatchicks.com/Reviews/Hope_Springs_Eternal/Hope.shtml

http://www.gamezebo.com/games/hope-springs-eternal/review

Images:

All on one page:

http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n61/Whiterabbit_01/gaotd/Hope%20Springs%20Eternal/?albumview=grid

As a slideshow:

http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n61/Whiterabbit_01/gaotd/Hope%20Springs%20Eternal/?albumview=slideshow

All the images were copied from the developer’s site. Reference: http://www.mdna-games.com/Hope/gallery.htm Accessed 17th Jan 09

==================================================================

Conclusion:

The following was the last paragraph from the four fat ladies review, (the first of the two review links I’ve posted above), and which seems to sum up the game from what I’ve seen of the images ‘and from playing the demo for a short fifteen minute spell about ten minutes before this was due to be posted’ so far and from my memory of East Side Story:

Bottom line: if you're looking for a serene, tranquil visit to a quaint village, then definitely pick up Hope Springs Eternal; on the other hand, if you're looking for a challenging adventure, you might want to try something else.

I managed to get up half an hour early so decided to check out the demo of the game I’d downloaded early this morning for a short period and was reasonably impressed with the overall feel of the game. Once you’ve got used to the various controls, which are quite intuitive, the game flows well and can be quite challenging if you’re not a point and click aficionado. From my limited knowledge of this game plus my thoughts on East Side Story, which is basically the same type of game, only a different story, I’d give this a tentative but good 7 out of 10. (Does that make sense, lol).

Thank you to the Game Giveaway team for bringing us a new game and thanks to the developer for allowing thousands of community members to download it for free.

==================================================================